The retina is an inner layer of nerves inside our eye. It perceives light and images and sends them to the brain. Retinoblastoma is a type of cancer that occurs when the retina’s nerve cells have genetic mutations. This disease primarily affects children under six, being detected more frequently between the first and second year of life.
Retinal cancer symptoms
In most cases, cancer is curable if caught early. Therefore, it is essential to know the symptoms of childhood cancer. The most common sign of retinoblastoma is a white tint in the pupil that increases when light is shone into the eye. The light may be from a flash photograph.
Other symptoms and signs of retinoblastoma include:
- Eyes that seem to look in opposite directions.
- Eye inflammation.
- Red eyes.
- Vision challenges.
Vision problems from retinal cancer can cause your child to fall often, bump into things, or have trouble moving around the house. Early detection of retinoblastoma is essential to prevent significant problems, such as blindness and the spreading of cancer outside the eye.
If you have some concerns or your child presents one or more symptoms, seek medical advice.